An Edmonton man with severe fetal alcohol syndrome has been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting an unprovoked stabbing spree near Kingsway Mall.

Brandon Meeches, 20, pleaded guilty Friday in Provincial Court to three counts of robbery, one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Neil Wiberg told court that Meeches was riding his bicycle and he approached two men in the parking lot outside of the McDonald’s restaurant at 111 Avenue and 106 Street around 6:15 p.m. on May 18.

Meeches asked the men for money and — after they refused — he lunged at one of them and sliced the man’s shirt when he stepped backwards to avoid the blow.

Meeches then hit the other guy with his knife in the stomach area, however it was a minor blow that did not require stitches, said Wiberg.

Meeches then made another stabbing motion with the knife towards a third man, after also demanding money, and struck him in the back, narrowly missing a kidney and requiring stitches, said Wiberg.

He then rode across the street on his bicycle to the transit station at Kingsway Mall, where he approached a 34-year-old man from behind and stabbed him in the side.

A 50-year-old woman tried to distract Meeches as he then chased the 34-year-old victim, who was not seriously injured, on foot. He then got back on his bike and rode away, only to return to the scene shortly after.

When he returned, Meeches stabbed the 50-year-old woman in the abdomen, inflicting life-threatening injuries in what police said appears to be retribution for her efforts to aid the 34-year-old victim.

She was taken to hospital and underwent emergency surgery, but has since recovered, court heard.

Meanwhile, Meeches was apprehended by police shortly after as he tried to escape on his bicycle.

Officers described his behaviour as erratic.

“These are the types of calls that disturb and anger police because they are so random and these poor people are pure victims,” said Staff Sgt. Malcolm Allan at the time. “It looks like the robbery was an afterthought. He was just on a violent spree.”

Court heard there were 15 witnesses to the stabbing rampage and it was also captured by a surveillance camera.

Defence lawyer Darin Slaferek had a medical report saying Meeches has been diagnosed with severe fetal alcohol syndrome, however he was also found fit to stand trial.

Court heard Meeches was earlier jailed for three months for a prior knife attack and Wiberg argued he needed to be locked up for the protection of the public.

A joint submission by Crown and defence for the five-year sentence, less approximately 11 months for time spent in pre-trial custody, was accepted by the judge.​

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

Bicycle stabbings net Edmonton man a prison term

An Edmonton man with severe fetal alcohol syndrome has been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting an unprovoked stabbing spree near Kingsway Mall.

Brandon Meeches, 20, pleaded guilty Friday in Provincial Court to three counts of robbery, one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Neil Wiberg told court that Meeches was riding his bicycle and he approached two men in the parking lot outside of the McDonald’s restaurant at 111 Avenue and 106 Street around 6:15 p.m. on May 18.